all-wheel drive

Vietnam has a homegrown car company known as VinFast and this upstart automaker is showcasing its new models at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. VinFast is not a household name and its vehicles aren’t likely to be sold in the U.S. anytime soon.

Nevertheless, the Vietnamese automaker has two models to show for it, with both going into production in 2019.

VinFast is the first Vietnamese automaker, but it isn’t the first company to produce new cars in this Southeastern Asia nation of nearly 100 million residents. Most passenger vehicles produced in Vietnam are from knock-down kits, cars partially assembled abroad then completed locally. Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Toyota are among the brands present.

As for VinFast, the company is making it clear that its Italian-inspired models are Vietnamese influenced.

The company tapped Pininfarina, the Italian design house with developing the new models based on consumer input. The result is two models, a sedan and a crossover utility vehicle, that the company believes reflect the country’s spirit.

VinFast calls its two models the LUX A2.0 and LUX SA2.0, names that hardly roll off of the tongue or are easy to commit to memory. Nevertheless, this naming strategy has been embraced by upstart automakers before (e.g., Ford Model T and A; every European manufacturer), but may eventually change especially as the company eyes foreign markets.

David Beckham Presents

Not wasting any time, VinFast tapped retired English professional footballer David Beckham to tout the brand. Beckham was introduced at the 2018 Paris Motor Show for the official unveiling of the two VinFast models.

“I’ve always been a car fanatic, and it’s a thrill to be here in Paris to celebrate the arrival of a new carmaker on the global stage. When I met you and your colleagues backstage earlier, the passion that you all have for the cars is infectious. It’s an inspirational story and I’m really excited to be part of this launch moment for VinFast,” noted Beckham to VinFast personnel.

The VinFast sedan is based on a rear-wheel-drive architecture.

New Model Highlights

Not all details about the new model have surfaced yet. The only photos supplied by the manufacturer are exterior shots. But those photos do reveal the artistic design flair incorporated. VinFast could have chosen a more utilitarian look and satisfied its home audience. But the automaker is looking to begin exports not too soon after Vietnam consumers become acquainted with the brand.

We do know that powering both models is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Apparently, there will be two performance variants. The first one will produce 173 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The second one has an output of 231 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The sedan will offer both choices, while the utility vehicle will have the higher output version only.

Both models, by the way, offer standard rear-wheel drive. The SUV will also have an all-wheel-drive option. This is a common layout for premium European models.

Letting Loose and Looking Ahead

VinFast has already indicated it won’t stop with its two initial models. Indeed, the company has struck a deal with General Motors to market a city car under the VinFast name. VinFast and GM also have a partnership agreement in place, which resulted in the transfer of GM’s Hanoi automotive plant to VinFast.

Other models planned include an electric car and an electric bus. All three models are currently under development.

What are VinFast’s chances of success? It may be quite good as the company has extensive government backing and sought early on to bring consumers to the development process. It would be foolish for anyone to underestimate the company’s potential, given that manufacturers such as Hyundai and Tesla have successfully disrupted the market in their own time and expertise.

The Kia K900 is one of the most improbable and unlikely models from a mainstream manufacturer.

Sophisticated and elegant, the 2019 Kia K900 seeks its own place in a niche segment.

Introduced in 2015, the K900 immediately gave Kia an entry in the niche full-size luxury sedan segment. That segment is occupied by the likes of the BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Jaguar XJ and the Audi A8L.

Sales of the K900 never accounted for much, so after three years it appeared Kia would pull this model from the U.S. market. Instead, the automaker skipped the 2018 model year and has an all-new sedan ready for 2019.

Yes, despite NBA superstar LeBron James serving as the K900 spokesman, Kia has only managed several hundred models sold each year. We’re not sure what Kia expects the 2019 K900 to do, but it is safe to say it will once again serve as the brand’s flagship model with distinction.

Here are details of the next-generation K900:

1. The K900’s overall dimensions are larger.

Forget downsizing! The 2019 Kia K900 is upsized slightly over the previous model. It is longer, wider and taller than the 2015-2017 version.

From wheel to wheel, this sedan measures 122.2 inches, up from 119.9 inches. From bumper to bumper, the increase is smaller. At 201.6 inches, the new model is one inch longer. Its width increased slightly to 75.4 inches from 74.8 inches. From a height perspective, the change is even smaller, increasing by just 0.2 inches to 58.7 inches.

The interior space appears to be roughly the same. We’re not sure what the trunk dimensions are for the new model, but we’re thinking they’ll come in better than the modest 15.9 cubic feet of the previous K900.

Bentley-like design elements grace the Kia K900.

2. One engine is better than two.

The previous K900 came with two engine choices: a 3.8-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8. Both engines are gone, replaced by a single twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 with 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque.

Importantly, the new engine effectively splits the horsepower differences between the two previous engines, while matching the torque of the V8. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels. Yes, all-wheel drive is now standard.

3. State-of-the-art technologies live here.

Kia Motors has long pushed its technology prowess through its UVO telematics system. The new Kia K900 demonstrates just how savvy this automaker is.

For starters, you’ll find a 12.3-inch Human Machine Interface (HMI) touch-screen. This system displays maps, trip details, audio information, manages climate control and oversees other details. Also, the K900 has a new navigation system. All these things tie in with a dedicated service representative reachable via a VIP phone line.

Other tech features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility, an available 9.7-inch head-up display, and a 17-speaker Harmon Kardon surround sound system.

Fine leathers and choice woods dress the K900’s interior.

Among the safety features you’ll find Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which includes a surround view monitor that has four cameras that provide a 360-degree perspective. The Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) supplies the driver with a live feed of the adjacent lanes in the instrument panel. The system kicks in with a flick of a turn signal.

4. Luxury beyond reproach.

The Kia K900 offers a high-level of luxury befitting a sedan of its class. Soft leathers cover the seats and wrap the interior. Wood trim choices include walnut, olive ash, beige olive ash and engineered wood.

Kia says the front seats are well contoured and designed to supply optimum support and comfort in an effort to reduce fatigue. In a nod to Korea’s history, the quilted leather at the shoulders point to the clothing worn by Korean kings of antiquity.

Key features include heated and ventilated seats up front. An available 20-way power driver’s seat comes with width-adjusting bolsters and lumbar support. The front passenger has a 12-way power seat. The rear seats have their own advantages as the one on the driver’s side offers 12-way adjustment and the one on the right side 14-way adjustment. Both seats have reclining capabilities. Heating and ventilation options are also available for the outboard rear seats.

The rear compartment seats three, but is ideal for two passengers.

5. Pricing to be determined.

We think the new model will cost at least $55,000 based on the improvements in performance and content alone. That’s still $20,000 less than a Lexus LS which, by the way, is also now powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine.

Kia K900: Round Two

As unlikely that there was a K900 in the first place, introducing an all-new model is a bold move on Kia’s part. Likely, sales will remain slow, although the sedan could find its way into livery fleets. After all, the Lincoln Town Car is long retired and not every limousine is a full-size SUV.

If Kia sends us a 2019 K900, we’ll supply a review and update this page with a link.